Black Tree Design Dwarf Hammerers and Stone Launcher and June Giveaway

A bit of a painting spree yesterday and today saw me clear my painting list. The two final units are the BTD Dwarf Hammerers pictured above, and the BTD Dwarf Stone Launcher pictured below.

The Hammerers are pretty much painted 'as is', except for the banner pole which I converted to look more GW. The command figures and three dwarves behind them are based on a stone plinth on a multibase, but the rest are based singly. As before, these are for Adrian and so the bases are left unflocked so he can complete them in his own style.

The Dwarf Stone Launcher came from Fg, who bought a few packs of the BTD dwarves way back when but never got around to painting them.

Which brings me to June's giveaway!

I have an extra Stone Launcher, plus a unit of 15 Hammerers to give away for June.

The Stone Launcher is missing the crossbar at the top (the thing that prevents the catapult arm from over-swinging, if you catch my meaning - I use a piece of plastic sprue cut to length to replace it).

The Hammerers come without a musician, and are missing a few shields.

Once again, if you want these two items, do leave a comment, and I will draw a recipient on 01 June. This is not a first-come, first-serve offer.

The offer is free: once I let you know you have been drawn, do let me have your email and mailing address and I will send them off to you. You don't even have to pay for postage; I am just helping Fg give these figures a chance to see some tabletop daylight.

Good luck!

Kings of War 2 first game

Fg and I played two games of KoW this afternoon. This was the first time we played the rules, but they are easy to learn and remember, and with just a few special rules for each of the armies we used. we think we got most of the rules right.

In the first game my goblins spread themselves too thin and did not bring their numerical advantage to bear, and were rolled up on one flank and the whole army destroyed quickly.

In my second game I decided to deploy on a smaller frontage and keep a small reserve. This was a better strategy as it allowed the goblins to execute a number of flank charges on the humans, although with their weak attack and the human's high defence, it took a few rounds to rout a human unit.

The goblins repulsed the attack to their front, and I had just manoeuvred the war haggises (maw beasts in KoW) to charge the human unit that has breached my left flank when they failed their test to charge (due to being Yellow-Bellied), costing me the game.

The hit marker dice holders in action

It has literally been years since we last played a mass-battle game, and both the armies we used today had taken years to be ready, so I am happy that we enjoyed the game. It really does play as fast as people say it does, and the simple movement rules mean that units can and do manoeuvre.

My war haggises!

We played 1000-point games, but I do have enough figures for 2000-point games. The goblins are really quite weak, but I think at higher point games their numbers will be more telling.

I look forward to playing another game soon.

Gazetteer of the Known Galaxy

Map from NASA

This is a gazetteer of the galaxy our Space Opera campaign is set in. The setting is based on the bits of information from the Savage Worlds sci-fi setting, with adapted information from the various modules I use for our sessions. I will update this entry with new information after each session.


General Information

The galaxy is divided politically into three main parts: the human-dominated United Confederation on one side, the Rakashan-led (lion-headed humanoid) Tazanian Empire on the other, and the Neutral Zone between them.

The Neutral Zone was created in the aftermath of the century-long war between the United Confederation and the Tazanian Empire. The are comprises thousands of systems and planets, many of those inhabited. Each system is nominally independent, although several systems may band together to form political unities - however, none rival the power of either the United Confederation or the Tazanian Empire.

Ships from either of the major powers are forbidden from entering the Neutral Zone. Trade and transport through and within the Neutral Zone are therefore conducted through third parties, notably the Galactic Teamsters Guild.

The Galactic Teamsters Guild

Having its origins in the pre-hyperspace era of Earth's history, the Galactic Teamsters Guild is a loose organisation of traders, transport workers, and other professionals who are involved in the business of moving large volumes of cargo and personnel through the Neutral Zone and beyond.

The Guild has an open employment policy and does not discriminate based on species, gender, criminal record, and some say competence.

The Guild's headquarters is located at the Galactic Core Point.


The Order

symbol of The Order

A political movement that has arisen during the previous 2 standard years, The Order now comprises several member systems in the Dead Zone, a region of the galaxy known for having few habitable planets. Little is known about the leadership of The Order, but its stated purpose is to bring unity to the Neutral Zone so its numerous systems will not be at the mercy of the United Confederation or the Tazanian Empire.


Some planets of the Neutral Zone


Tropico

source

A resort planet, where the rich come for their vacations, and the even richer have their vacation homes. Tropico's surface is covered mostly by the ocean, with a belt of islands dotted around its tropical and subtropical zone.

- Notable persons and organisations

Kruger - Billionaire philanthropist, darling of the high society, and crime lord. Kruger has his vacation home on a private island near Tropico City, connected to the mainland by a causeway.

Scabarus - Crime lord and rival of Kruger, indicted for organised crimes on several occasions but never convicted.


Mechano

An industrial planet, where almost every inch of the planet's surface is covered by roads, factories, foundries and refineries, Mechano, also known as Wayland, is ruled by a Syndicate of 25 members elected from the industrial leaders of the planet. The head of the Syndicate, the Syndic, is in turn elected from among these members, for 5-yearly terms.

- Notable persons and organisations

Cyril Kornbluth - The current Syndic who is seeking re-election.

Frederik Pohl - A prominent member of the Syndicate, Pohl is expected to be contesting in the upcoming election.

Cryolon

Two centuries ago, the technologically-advanced planet of Cryolon was struck by a mysterious plague that had no known cure. To deal with the large number of dying citizens, the planet developed its cryogenic technology, hoping to revive its people once a cure was found. No cure was ever found, but over the centuries the Cryolans continued to improve their cryogenic technology, and it has become a religion on the planet and its leading export.


Wotan V

A gas giant in the Wotan system, Wotan V is orbited by a StarMart, a fueling station on the Catalia Run.

Boromite

A barren planetoid, Boromite once housed an outpost of the United Confederation Navy. After the formation of the Neutral Zone, the outpose was abandoned.

Spensonia

The arid planet of Spensonia is rumoured to be a sanctuary for pirates, although several expeditions by various systems have failed to locate the fabled city of pirates.

Anchura

One of the few habitable planets in the sector known as the Dead Zone, Anchura's main export is the blunana, a staple diet of many systems. It recently joined The Order after a near-bloodless coup.

- Notable persons and organisations

President Tru'hiyo - After escaping the planet, President Tru-hiyo now lives in exile at the Galactic Core Point.

WynGate Casino

On of the many orbiting casinos owned by Wyn Group, the WynGate started operating in orbit around Hircep-2, a Serran planet. However, with Hircep-2 joining The Order recently, the fate of the casino is uncertain.

Drissan V

Located just outside the Dead Zone, the planet of Drissan V has recently concluded a peace with their neighbour Zakka after a long war. Political analysts believe the increasing pro-Order sentiments in the war-weary populace of both systems was the key factor for the governments' desire to seek an end to the conflict.

Arunsir

An arid planet near the Dead Zone, Arunsir was a United Confederation colony before it was incorporated into the Neutral Zone as part of the peace treaty that ended the war. It boasts of a functioning spaceport, but little else.

Armada Works

The largest warship manufacturer in the Neutral Zone, Armada Works comprises of two separate space stations located in the asteroid belt in the Sargoza system: the Foundry, where asteroids and crushed and their ore extracted for manufacturing of the components of the warships, and the Arsenal, where the parts are assembled, and where the visitors' centre and offices are also housed.

Suka

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Suka is home to the Sages of the Stars, an ancient order that keeps the history of the galaxy. Suka city is protected by the perpetual cloud cover over the planet, as well as a forcefield than envelops the entire city.